How to get hype about Realestate site?

[JGOTTI]

I come from small eastern-european country in which I have Realestate site but it is not realeased yet.

So the thing is I need help from you guys,and the problem is how to make hype about my site and how to approach realestate agents so they put their properties on my site.(I thought about monthly fee for them but still not sure)

The business model is basically a monthly subscribtion for realestate agents mentioned above and paid property submission for ordinary people (e.g. I have free listings for ordinary people and a paid one which lasts much longer etc.)

Is my plan good? Any suggestions?

Any help is welcome?

 

[hawgbert]

Being a real estate agent in the US, I can tell you that agents receive solicitations every day similar to what you are proposing. Agents are able to post their listings on the top sites (Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, their local MLS) for free and the listings are then syndicated to hundreds of other sites. Agents are also notoriously cheap because they don't receive a commission until their listing sells. Your best bet might be to get high search engine placement for a certain set of search terms and contact agents directly to offer them a spot on your site. The objections you'll hear include:
- "I can market with Google AdWords to receive top placement."
- "I'm already on 350 web sites."
- "Show me what you can do for free, and then I'll consider using you."
- "Why would I take the time to post to your site when I don't have to do any work to post on these other sites?"

Be prepared to show results (prospective buyers that you've captured that aren't visiting any of the other sites) and you've got a shot.

Good luck!

 

[JGOTTI]

Hi hawgbert, thx for replying

But here I am dealing with another kind of situation.
The thing is I am from country where internet market is still in heavy development so for your objections, the real situation is more like this:

-People (including real estate agents) doesnt know how to use Google adWords or any other internet marketing.
-The listing is probably on 2 sites (one site is real estate agency, and another is unpopular and unknown),not 350
-Maybe offer them free first 3 months?

So the point is we dont have any popular real estate site here (maybe 2 old sites,but no one looks at them for real estates and they are outdated). So I spotted this oppurtunity for my piece of a cake.

I thought about maybe making some kind of advertising targeting students studying in another city because they are still buying newspaper for finding their apartment for rent.

Open for suggestions ?

Thanks a lot once more

 

[MadStacks]

You have to be able to show them data of how listing on your website will actually give them a better chance at selling the homes they
need to list for the clients they represent. Sites like this almost require investment since you need them to be able to list for free at
first but still market the website. Once they actually start getting leads for the houses they list you can change it to a paid site and they
will still buy into it.

 

[JGOTTI]

What is the best plan for filling up site with listings?
Do i copy listings from another site or?

 

[icex999]

Check your PMs...I've got some ideas that would likely be better conveyed via a discussion than a lost 'whitepaper' here. [though if the conversation turns out fruitful I'll put something together to share with the rest of the board.

-ice

 

[mikpel]

The hardest part is getting enough targeted traffic to your site. After you have the traffic that will convert then it's easy to sell for the agents. Before that I wouldn't be too concerned about the content. Just copy the listings from other sites as you said.

If you don't have a high budget then the best bet would be getting your traffic through SEO and social media presence.

 

[JGOTTI]

Is it possible to get sued for copying listings from another sites?

As you mentioned, the main traffic source would be SEO and social media presence.
Could you suggest me what are other places to advertise?

 

[gadget009]

Being ....
Good luck!

Hey hawgbert, I'm a (new) agent in Atlanta area and I'm looking for someone to show me the ropes a bit and trade ideas back & forth with. Send me a message if you're interested.